Presenting yourself
Reflect on the work you have produced so far for this course.
Pink out a range of pieces that best express who you are as an illustrator, and which show off your image making strengths.
Find a suitable way to present this body of work as a portfolio.
What would you say about this work if you was asked?
Reflecting on Degree work Illustration 2 Responding to a brief
Moat of the work I have produced for this unit:-
So looking back over the work I have produced for this unit I have done a lot of work on digital illustration, on texture and coming out of my comfort zone and learning new things, like comics, animation, street art, ceramic art, caricature and illustrating different perspectives.
I really enjoyed this unit and feel as though I have come along way over the last 7 months, I feel much more confident in experimenting and especially in drawing people, although still not where I want to be with that, but can see a big improvement.
Pick out the work that best represents you as an illustrator
The ones I want to pick out that reflect me best as an illustrator are the following:-
I picked these ones out as I am most inspired by nature and animals, I like to work in colour and create texture, I’m interested in character design, enjoy working on different surfaces (surface design) and like to layer in my work.
I would like to combine all of these areas into my illustrating for children’s books, it just a case of how and in what style would best work with them all.
I have a Instagram account for my illustration work, which includes degree work as well as sketchbook work and any drawing or painting that I like to show.
I currently have a portfolio website for my surface pattern design which shows all my designs which are available for out right purchase and licensing.
Find a suitable way to present this body of work as a portfolio
I intend to add a section onto my website portfolio to add my illustrations too, I did have this on there previously but it was just sketchbook work, and although this worked well, I feel as though I now want to add more professional illustration work onto it, to create a real working portfolio.
I will use some of my best work so far, and include mock ups of books, poster and zines, more editorial work, which is what I would like to get into next.
These three pieces from Illustration 1 Key steps are still my favourites that I have done, this is similar to the sort of work I would like to produce for my illustration portfolio on my website, and the sort of work I would like to post to Instagram in the future, editorial work for books, magazines and newspapers.
Although these were actually my very first attempts at these sort of briefs, they are what inspire me to be an illustrator. I still need to learn a lot especially with illustrating books, creating background scenes and also drawing people confidently in different poses and situations.
The next few units of my degree I am hoping this is where all this learning, and developing will come into practise.
I also have an Etsy shop where I sell my patterns that I have made into products for gift wrapping and small gifts, I have had some good orders and have a regular customer base, that repeat buys my products and enjoy when I bring out new collections and designs. These designs are exclusive to my shop and I have roughly 10 designs on the go at any one time.
What would people say about your work?
I have 5 star reviews on Etsy for my shop, and most people say that the designs are unique and cute, lots of parents buy the gift wrap, tags and cards for their children’s birthdays, all my products are Eco friendly, recycled and plastic free, so a lot of people like that too.
I also have wholesale for these products and I am stocked in two independent shops in the UK, and hoping to expand on this in the coming months, it’s lovely to know your products are out there for people to see.
Overall in all my work people say I have a delicate, painterly style with colours that suit the design, it appeals to all ages and is a classic style that is neither modern, nor old in style.
Reflections
What went well
I think my surface pattern portfolio is a good starting point for my work so far, and over the next few years adding my illustration work that has developed more into a professional voice will really make the website be fully rounded.
Having the Instagram account will also help to get my work out there and seen, this is the quickest way in this day and age to be seen, I will always add my website link to each post so they can view my whole portfolio.
Having my Etsy shop and wholesale orders has really helped my confidence to grow, knowing that people like your work, style and designs, having this has a foundation will help me to do the same with my illustration work, and hopefully illustrating for books, magazines and editorial work in the future.
What would you do differently
I didn’t attempt to create the illustration page on my pattern portfolio as I still feel as though I want to create more professional work for editorials first before I do this, but the layout will be very similar to my surface pattern layout.
This will be developed over the next year.
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